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Last year, at the hoary age of 53, I started taking aikido. This is a martial art pretty close to judo, but slightly less aggressive. While there are a number of folks around my age in this class, most of them have had their black belts for years. Getting started at my age is a little unusual.
So, last night, after about a year, I finally got promoted to the next level (green) belt. Truly diligent and younger folks can usually manage this in 4-6 months, but I'm pleased with myself in any case. It gives hope that I might actually make black belt before leaving this life. This is by no means certain. . .aside from knowing a considerable number of moves exquisitely well, a black belt in any martial art is someone who becomes aware, at an unconscious level, of the stance, balance, and possible attacks of any real or potential opponent--and can react without thinking about it. The results can seem magical.
Even without the martial aspect, the warm-up and exercise involved in aikido are excellent for keeping an aging body fit and limber. Our instructor, Yoji Kondo, is 70-odd, and could easily be taken for a much younger man. One of the primary reasons I got into this in the first place was the realization that I was getting stiff in all my joints, and weaker all round. If that was happening at my age, I didn't want to think about what my condition might be 25 years down the road. I look forward to many years of pulling down three government pensions--if the Republicans don't find some way to eliminate them.
So, last night, after about a year, I finally got promoted to the next level (green) belt. Truly diligent and younger folks can usually manage this in 4-6 months, but I'm pleased with myself in any case. It gives hope that I might actually make black belt before leaving this life. This is by no means certain. . .aside from knowing a considerable number of moves exquisitely well, a black belt in any martial art is someone who becomes aware, at an unconscious level, of the stance, balance, and possible attacks of any real or potential opponent--and can react without thinking about it. The results can seem magical.
Even without the martial aspect, the warm-up and exercise involved in aikido are excellent for keeping an aging body fit and limber. Our instructor, Yoji Kondo, is 70-odd, and could easily be taken for a much younger man. One of the primary reasons I got into this in the first place was the realization that I was getting stiff in all my joints, and weaker all round. If that was happening at my age, I didn't want to think about what my condition might be 25 years down the road. I look forward to many years of pulling down three government pensions--if the Republicans don't find some way to eliminate them.